News

The chief executive of Starbucks’ South Korean operations has been abruptly dismissed following a disastrous marketing campaign that triggered widespread national outrage. Retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, which manages the coffee franchise locally, ousted Sohn Jeong-hyun after a promotional stunt dredged up painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.

A catastrophic promotional launch

The controversy centres on the ill-conceived “Tank Day” event launched this past Monday, which was designed to market a new range of heavy-duty reusable cups. Unfortunately for the brand, the rollout coincided exactly with Democratisation Movement Day.

This annual observance honours the victims of the May...

Javier Bardem has used his platform at the Cannes Film Festival to speak out against aggressive masculinity, Reuters reports. The Oscar-winning actor described this pervasive trait as a destructive force that he hopes society will soon eradicate, a theme he deeply explores in his latest competition entry, The Beloved.

Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, the intense drama features Bardem as a demanding filmmaker who casts his estranged daughter in his newest picture. This professional reunion unearths deep-rooted grievances driven by ego, anger and resentment. The Beloved is currently one of 22 films vying for the festival’s highest honour, the Palme...

While Aryna Sabalenka is typically seen dominating the court in athletic wear, the 28-year-old tennis champion has chosen a strikingly different look for her latest magazine appearance.

The current world number one and four-time Grand Slam winner swapped her racket for a high-fashion editorial, gracing the cover of Vogue in a daring sheer ensemble. Fans were quick to notice her bold style choice, as the athlete showcased her toned physique and golden tan in a bra top and a see-through skirt whilst posing on an oceanfront balcony.

Sabalenka’s new sparkler

Beyond her stunning photoshoot, Sabalenka used the feature to...

Two teenage gunmen opened fire outside a California mosque on Monday, claiming the lives of a security guard and two other men. According to local authorities, the suspects were subsequently discovered dead from suspected self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Scott Wahl, the San Diego Police Chief, stated that local officers and the FBI are treating the assault on San Diego County’s largest Islamic place of worship as a potential hate crime. Despite this active line of inquiry, officials have not yet released a definitive motive or identified a specific trigger for the violence.

A mother’s warning

During an evening press briefing...

Colombian pop star Shakira has secured a massive legal victory against Spain’s tax authorities. The Audiencia Nacional (National Court) has officially annulled penalties relating to the 2011 tax year and ordered the Treasury to refund the singer over €60 mln in improperly collected fines, legal fees and accumulated interest, El Mundo reports.

The landmark ruling overturns a July 2021 decision by the Central Economic Administrative Tribunal which had previously accused the artist of defrauding the state on both her Personal Income Tax and Wealth Tax.

The 183-day rule

The court ultimately concluded that the Spanish Tax Agency (Hacienda...

Could Kimi Antonelli be the next Formula 1 star to follow in Max Verstappen’s footsteps and tackle the fearsome Nordschleife? Recent rumours suggested that the young Italian was eyeing a stint on the “Green Hell” but his current employers have swiftly put an end to the speculation.

The chatter began after Antonelli featured in a recent video discussing the DMSB Nordschleife Permit (DPN). In the clip the teenager expressed his ambition to secure the licence “by the end of the year.” The footage quickly gained traction across social media platforms but Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord was quick to...

The football world is bracing for a massive managerial reunion as Jose Mourinho prepares to return to Real Madrid. According to renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the much-anticipated move is officially happening with all terms now verbally agreed between the two parties.

Romano revealed that Mourinho will sign an initial two-year contract and is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital to formalise the paperwork following Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao.

Restoring order at the Bernabeu

The 63-year-old tactician will arrive to replace interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa took the reins in January 2026 following the...

U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered a blunt ultimatum to Iran regarding stalled negotiations to end their ongoing conflict. Taking to his Truth Social platform, the president warned that time is running out for a resolution.

“They better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” he wrote, adding that “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

This severe messaging coincided with a Sunday telephone conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports from the Israeli leader’s office. Trump’s latest rhetoric echoes a previous threat made just before the early...

The Wanamaker Trophy was firmly up for grabs at Aronimink Golf Club on Sunday with a crowded leaderboard of 22 contenders sitting within just four shots of the lead. Ultimately it was England’s Aaron Rai who seized the moment, delivering a spectacular final round to claim the 108th PGA Championship.

The turning point at the ninth

The 31-year-old endured a shaky start to his Sunday round. After bogeying the sixth and eighth holes he found himself 1-over for the day. However his fortunes shifted dramatically on the par-5 ninth hole.

From 260 yards out in a slight downwind...

A moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.2 in magnitude has struck the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi. The seismic event hit the industrial city of Liuzhou during the early hours of Monday morning, leaving two people dead and triggering a mass evacuation across the local area.

Casualties and structural damage

State media outlets including CCTV and Xinhua have confirmed the two fatalities and noted that rescue personnel are still actively searching for one missing individual. Four people were rushed to hospital for medical treatment following the tremors but officials have stated that their injuries are thankfully not life-threatening.

The...

Peter Jackson finally broke his silence regarding the infamous recasting of Ryan Gosling in his 2009 big-screen adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones.

Gosling was initially hired to play the father of Saoirse Ronan’s lead character but was unceremoniously dropped from the project. The actor revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2010 that he was sacked after gaining 60 pounds for the role without consulting the director.

Speaking recently at the Cannes Film Festival after accepting an Honorary Palme d’Or, Jackson was asked about Gosling’s previous claims and spoke openly about the situation that led to Mark Wahlberg

The online fast-fashion powerhouse Shein is preparing to expand its retail portfolio by acquiring the American clothing brand Everlane, Bloomberg reports. According to industry reports the buyout is valued at approximately $100 mln and will see the digital giant purchase the struggling retailer directly from its majority owner L Catterton.

The terms of the acquisition suggest a difficult outcome for some existing investors. Reports from Puck News indicate that those holding common stock in Everlane will not receive any financial payout from the transaction. Furthermore it remains entirely unclear whether preferred shareholders will be compensated with cash or offered...

A routine aerial demonstration quickly morphed into a terrifying spectacle on Sunday when a pair of U.S. Navy fighter jets collided mid-air. The catastrophic incident took place during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho but miraculously resulted in zero fatalities.

Thousands of onlookers watched as the two heavily modified aircraft became entangled during their routine. Within moments of the collision all four crew members initiated their ejection sequences. Eyewitness footage captured the harrowing descent of the tangled wreckage as four parachutes drifted safely away from the ensuing fireball.

A swift emergency...

The World Health Organization (WHO) has triggered its highest level of alert in response to a surging Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak. In a statement issued on May 17, 2026 the WHO Director-General officially designated the escalating situation across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern.

An unprecedented and untreatable threat

This particular strain of Ebola presents a unique peril because medical professionals currently have no approved vaccines or targeted treatments to deploy against it. The epicentre of the crisis lies in the DRC’s Ituri Province where officials have...

Uzbek law enforcement agencies have uncovered another major drug trafficking network, seizing large quantities of narcotics and psychotropic substances during a joint special operation, according to the State Security Service and Interior Ministry.

Authorities said the illegal drugs were intended for distribution across several regions of the country. Multiple suspects were detained, and criminal cases have been opened as investigators continue to identify others involved in the network.

The operation comes amid Uzbekistan’s broader campaign against organized crime and illegal drug trafficking. Earlier this year, officials warned about the growing spread of synthetic drugs and online narcotics sales...

Thousands of passengers were stranded across London airports after major flight disruptions caused more than 400 delays and dozens of cancellations affecting carriers including British Airways, American Airlines, KLM and Helvetic Airways.

According to aviation tracking data, at least 401 flights were delayed and 61 cancelled at airports including Heathrow Airport and London City Airport, creating long queues and overcrowded terminals.

British Airways was among the hardest-hit airlines, with Heathrow experiencing the majority of disruptions. Industry reports linked the chaos to a combination of adverse weather, air traffic control restrictions and operational pressures across European aviation networks.

Travel...

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey made a stunning return to mixed martial arts, defeating Gina Carano in just 17 seconds during their highly anticipated comeback bout in California.

Fighting at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on a card promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and streamed on Netflix, Rousey secured victory with her trademark armbar submission almost immediately after the opening bell.

The fight marked Rousey’s first MMA appearance in nearly a decade, while Carano returned to the cage after a 17-year absence. Following the bout, Rousey praised Carano as one of the pioneers of...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said deadly drone strikes targeting Moscow were «entirely justified» as Kyiv continues to respond to Russian attacks during the ongoing war.

In comments reported by the Financial Times, Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s growing long-range drone campaign against Russian territory, arguing that Moscow must «feel» the consequences of the conflict it started.

The remarks came after a series of drone attacks disrupted operations in and around the Russian capital, prompting temporary airport closures and heightened air defence activity. Russian officials accused Ukraine of escalating the conflict, while Kyiv maintains its strikes are aimed at...

Max Verstappen‘s ambitions of claiming an outright victory at the prestigious Nurburgring 24 Hours have been dealt a devastating blow following a severe mechanical failure. The #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3, which the four-time Formula 1 world champion shares with Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer, was seemingly cruising towards a commanding win before disaster struck.

During Juncadella’s stint behind the wheel, onboard cameras captured an alarming noise emanating from the vehicle. The Spanish driver was forced to immediately abort his run and limp back to the pit lane, where the car was swiftly pushed into the garage for a...

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest concluded in Vienna amid unprecedented political controversy and boycotts linked to Israel’s participation in the competition. Despite tensions surrounding the event, Bulgaria secured its first-ever Eurovision victory.

Singer Dara won the contest with the upbeat anthem «Bangaranga,» earning 516 points in the grand final.

Israel’s representative Noam Bettan finished second with the song «Michelle,» despite protests and criticism surrounding the country’s inclusion in the show.

The contest, hosted in Vienna after Austria’s 2025 victory, became one of the most politically divisive in Eurovision history. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands either...

Robert Lewandowski confirmed his impending departure from Barcelona when his current contract expires this summer. The 37-year-old forward joined the Catalan giants from Bayern Munich in 2022 and has since enjoyed a highly successful four-year stint in Spain.

Throughout his 191 appearances for the club, the Polish international has netted 119 goals. His formidable strike rate helped guide Barca to three La Liga titles as well as the Copa del Rey in 2025.

Mission accomplished in Catalonia

Taking to Instagram to announce his decision to the fans, Lewandowski expressed immense pride in his achievements.

At least eight people have died and 25 others have been injured following a devastating collision involving a train and a public bus in Bangkok this Saturday, Reuters reports.

The catastrophic crash triggered a massive fire that rapidly engulfed the bus and spread to surrounding traffic. According to local police and rescue officials the multi-vehicle pile-up involved the train, the passenger bus, several cars and motorcycles.

Firefighters and emergency rescue crews were immediately dispatched to the scene to tackle the blaze and pull injured victims from the twisted wreckage. Responders battled the intense flames with high-pressure water hoses in...

Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkor is on the brink of severe sporting sanctions after receiving an official warning from FIFA concerning a long-standing financial dispute with former player Rivaldo Ferreira. The club now faces mounting pressure, public scrutiny and a comprehensive transfer ban if the outstanding debt is not settled promptly.

The conflict between the Tashkent-based side and the Brazilian football icon stems from his stint at the club between 2008 and 2010. The matter was previously escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. In November 2023, CAS ruled in favour of the player and ordered the...

Max Verstappen received a timely advantage in his bid to conquer the Nurburgring 24 Hours. His team will launch their campaign from fourth on the grid, sitting directly behind the #84 and #130 Lamborghinis that have successfully locked out the front row, RN365 reports.

Levelling the playing field

To ensure fair competition across diverse manufacturers in endurance motorsport, officials utilise a strict Balance of Performance (BoP) system. This mechanism essentially aims to equalise the overall pace of the grid by adding weight or restricting engine power for the fastest vehicles.

Following the conclusion of Top Qualifying, race...